Evaluation is an important and on-going priority for SMYSP. Our results show that the university- and school-based programs have been highly successful in reaching low-income students and preparing them for medical
and other careers.
University-Based Program
The Summer Residential Program (our university-based program) has been
rigorously evaluated since its creation in 1988, showing outstanding
results.
Key findings:
Out of 428 students selected for the 5-week Summer Residential Program
(an average of 24 students each summer from Northern California schools):
100% have been from low-income families
58% have been from under-represented ethnic minority groups (African-American, Latino, or Native American)
100% have successfully completed the program
96% have been followed for up to 19 years through annual surveys
100% have graduated from high school*
99% have been admitted to college*
82% have graduated from 4-year colleges* (compared to 15% of low-income youth in California)
50% attend or have completed medical or graduate school* (at top-tier universities such as Stanford, Harvard, and U.C. Berkeley)
44% are becoming or have become health professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, and mental health.
*of age-eligible alumni
School-Based Program
The School-Based Program has been evaluated
since its creation in 2003, also showing success.
Key findings:
Out of 75-100 students selected from 4 Northern California high schools
each year for the 9-month program:
100% have attended under-resourced schools
100% have been from low-income families
54% have been from under-represented ethnic minority groups (African-American and Latino)
38% have lived with a single parent and 52% have lived in homes where a language other than English was spoken
Students significantly increased their knowledge over the course
of the program about:
Diversity of health careers and opportunities in science and
medicine
How to conduct survey research (i.e., how to write scientific
questions, design health surveys, collect survey data, analyze
data, create a scientific poster)
How to apply to college (i.e., how to complete a college application,
ask for a letter of recommendation, write a college essay, apply
for financial aid)
